We were at the beginning of a new century and we had a new project. Our launch event drew prominent journalists and an endorsement from Walter Cronkite who couldn't make it but sent a message on video. We were thrilled when the newscaster called the "most trusted man in America" agreed to bless our insurgent effort to try to reform an industry which was, as he noted, urgently in need of change.
He sent a message to our launch event. So there we were, activists and advocates turning to a big screen for the man who had represented the best, and often the limits of network news, for so many years. He said:
"Good evening, I'm Walter Cronkite. I really wanted to be with you in person tonight for Globalvision New Media's launch of the new Internet site the Media Channel, but unfortunately I was called out of the country. Yet the issues that led to the creation of this unique global resource, and the crisis that's facing all of us who work in and care about journalism and the media, are so profound that I simply felt compelled to tape this message so that you would know that I am with you in spirit at least.
As you know, I've been increasingly and publicly critical of the direction that journalism has taken of late, and of the impact on democratic discourse and principles. Like you, I'm deeply concerned about the merger mania that has swept our industry, diluting standards, dumbing down the news, and making the bottom line sometimes seem like the only line. It isn't and it shouldn't be.
At the same time, I'm impressed that so many other serious and concerned people around the world are also becoming interested in holding media companies accountable and upholding the highest standards of journalism.
The Media Channel will undoubtedly be worth watching and taking part in. I am intrigued by its potential, and its global reach?."
That was a heady endorsement. Media channel was up and running. Some funding was in place as we began our work amidst many internal debates about what we should do and how we should do it. In the years that followed, we made many mistakes but also did something right: the site survived?
(TO BE CONTINUED)
I am back from Germany on June 5th. Your comments and help are very welcome. We have always wanted the readers to become contributors assume some responsibility for the site.
Write: Dissector@mediachannel.org
PS. Sorry to those whose letters I couldn't post today.
PPS: A special treat: MARK TWAIN'S WAR PRAYER-WATCH
After seven years and a new website redesign, MediaChannel.org may have to cease operations because of a financial emergency. As most of you have already noticed, we have started to run advertising on the website in an effort to deal with our funding challenge.
To put it bluntly, the future of MediaChannel is in question. Please consider making a tax deductible donation online through PayPal or send a check made out to: The Global Center, 575 8th Avenue, Suite 2200, New York, New York, 10018.
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